Kirksville rests on the line separating potentially crippling snow totals from an average accumulation as Winter Storm Q approaches the region.

A National Weather Service alert issued Wednesday morning predicted between 6-10 inches of snow in the Adair County area, with significantly higher amounts to the north and lower totals - with more ice - to the south.

However…

“The heaviest snow is generally expected north of an Atchison, Kan., to Kirksville, Mo., line,” the alert states, indicating the uncertain spot the city occupies in the weather models.

The NWS upgraded the outlook to a Winter Storm Warning starting at 6 a.m. Thursday. Q is expected to bring heavy snow, will accumulations exceeding one inch per hour at times, as well as freezing drizzle later in the day and evening.